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GUSTAV ALFRED WALDNER. - Through substantial traits of character embracing intelligence, industry and great
perseverance Mr. Waldner, a native of Ostergotland, Sweden, and a resident of Humboldt county from his arrival
at Eureka during 1878 until his death, February 21, 1913, was able to gain for himself financial prosperity and
that which is yet more to be desired, the respect of associates and the deepest esteem of intimate friends. Different
lines of labor engaged his attention from the time of his arrival in California. Like the average Scandinavian
boy he had been taught to be useful and was expected to contribute to his own support as soon as physically able
to perform any kind of manual work. The most important part of his education had been his industrial training and
it laid the foundation of the ultimate prosperity to which he attained. For a number of years he owned and operated
the Western hotel at Eureka. Another early enterprise in this city was the carrying on of a fish business, while
his earliest means of self support here was through work in the redwoods.
The development of land was made a matter of importance to Mr. Waldner, who, with the most unbounded faith in the
rise of values in Humboldt county, bought and improved a tract of forty five acres on the Eel river, built a house
on the farm and later sold out at a fair advance. During the fall of 1910 the Waldner Fruit and Land Company, of
which he was president, bought four thousand acres of raw land near Fort Seward, but on the other side of the river.
At the time of his death he was deeply interested in the development of this vast tract, which he had started to
plant into fruit of different kinds with the intention of selling out in tracts of twenty or forty acres to the
small farmer desiring a safe investment with ideal home environment. The land is rich and well adapted to fruit,
hence his plans for its development will in all probability be carried to a successful issue. The Humboldt County
Fruit Growers' Association was organized largely through his efforts and he continued one of its leaders until
his death. Through his marriage to Tillie Anderson, a native of Kalmastan, Sweden, he became the father of five
children, Clarence E., Clara V., George A., Genevieve and Glenn A. Always active in civic and county affairs, he
served for two terms as a member of the Eureka city council and used his influence to promote worthy movements
for local development and welfare. His fraternities were the Foresters, Eagles, the lodge and encampment of Odd
Fellows, and the Pioneer Odd Fellows, and with his wife was a member of the Centennial Lodge of Rebekahs. Mrs.
Waldner passed the chairs twice. It is the united testimony of those who knew Mr. Waidner that his course in life
was such as to reflect credit upon the citizenship of Eureka, and when he passed away the simple but impressive
last service, the flowers and the silent sympathy of old neighbors and friends indicated the affectionate regard
in which he was held.
From:
History of Humboldt County, California
With a Biographical Sketches
History by Leigh H. Irving
Historic Record Company
Los Angeles, California 1915
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